As the U.S. and Iran move closer to a possible confrontation over the nuclear issue, two of Iran's former presidents express their concerns and views.
Iran's 4th President and former Speaker of the Parliament Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani is reportedly trying to persuade the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei (boy he has a long title!) to give into some Western demands in order to avoid a showdown with the United States and save the Islamic Republic. Although conservative, Rafsanjani has consistently demonstrated his pragmatism ever since his days at the Parliament over twenty years ago. He is believed to be the most influential member of the establishment as well as one of the wealthiest (if not the wealthiest) Iranians living inside the country. Here is a link to the related Guardian's article:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/iran/story/0,,1998047,00.html
Also during the World Economic Forum meeting, Ahmadinejad's predecessor President Khatami today called for calm heads to reduce building tensions between the United States and his country over its nuclear program. You may read more about it below: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070125/wl_nm/davos_iran_dc_3
It appears that the Iranian leaders are beginning to feel the heat mainly fueled by President Ahmadinejad's rhetoric. I don't personally remember the last time that the Islamic Republic was facing such a grave threat to its existence from outside of Iran. Maybe during the Iran-Iraq war?!
What do you think?
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